Dedicated session GE: Enhancing Geothermal Energy Deployment for District Heating and Cooling Networks

Tracks
Geothermal Energy
Thursday, October 30, 2025
10:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Penn Room 2

Details

The transition to climate-neutral urban energy systems demands scalable, low-carbon solutions—and geothermal energy is emerging as a cornerstone for decarbonizing district heating and cooling (DHC) networks. This session showcases innovative approaches to deploying both shallow and deep geothermal systems, with a focus on real-world applications and technical insights. Presentations will explore the integration of geothermal energy into civil infrastructure - such as energy piles and quay walls—as well as the development of shallow geothermal loops and deep coaxial wells. Case studies from across Europe and North America will highlight how these systems are being used to heat and cool entire districts, leveraging technologies like seasonal thermal energy storage and 5th Generation DHC networks. Speakers will share lessons learned from full-scale testing, system design, and stakeholder collaboration, emphasizing the importance of early planning, regulatory support, and cross-sector engagement. The session will also address how geothermal energy can be systematically scaled across public and private sectors to support energy renovation and long-term climate goals. By bringing together experts from engineering, utilities, and urban planning, this session aims to inspire practical solutions and foster collaboration to accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy in district networks.


Speaker

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Dr Philip Vardon
Associate Professor
TU Delft

Testing energy piles in the Netherlands: extracting and storing energy within civil infrastructure

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Mr Etienne Coudert
Engineer
Celsius Energy

Scaling Low-Carbon District Heating and Cooling with Shallow Geothermal Energy

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Ms Erika Salmenvaara
Ceo
QHeat

QHeat's Co-Axial Heat Wells as a Backbone in Enhancing Geothermal Energy Deployment for District Heating and Cooling Networks


Moderator

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Adeline Parent
Geothermal Consultant | Structural Geologist
SLB - GeothermEx

Jeanne Vidal
Women In Geothermal

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